In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease. In 1998 I founded The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore!, and I am the co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of Journal of Gluten Sensitivity.

Celiac.com 08/27/2004 – Dr. Peter Green and colleagues
at the Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians
and Surgeons, New York, New York, conducted a study designed to determine
the sensitivity of the various serological tests used to diagnose celiac
disease. To do this they looked at 115 adults with biopsy-proven celiac
disease who fulfilled strict criteria which included serological testing
at the time of their diagnosis, and a positive response to a gluten-free
diet. Out of those studied, 71% had total villous atrophy, and 29% had
partial villous atrophy. Serological results indicated that only 77% of
those with total and 33% of those with partial villous atrophy actually
tested positive for celiac disease, and it did not matter whether the
patients presented with classical or silent symptoms. All patients who
were positive for anti-tissue transglutaminase had total villous atrophy.
The researchers conclude:

Seronegative celiac disease occurs. Endomysial
antibody positivity correlates with more severe villous atrophy and
not mode of presentation of celiac disease. Serologic tests, in clinical
practice, lack the sensitivity reported in the literature.